Him & I

Talk

Can't we just talk?
Can't we just talk?
Talk about where we're going
Before we get lost
Let me out first
Can't get what we want without knowin'
I've never felt like this before
I apologize if I'm moving too far
Can't we just talk?
——Talk, Khalid

April 27, 2019

The flight to New York was uneventful and Cait even dozed off for a little while, head resting on Grayson's shoulder. Connor got the last of his homework done and Grayson started a new book.

They dropped Tyler at Bryant Park Place, getting him settled. But Cait explained to Connor that their father wanted him to spend the rest of the weekend at Park Avenue.

Connor seemed to frown at that.  "G just got some free time," he complained.

"Hey, I'll be around," Grayson told him.  "You'll have soccer practice this week and I'm gonna come to that.  Maybe I'll volunteer to pick you up at school a couple of times.  It's not like I don't have time."

"And I'll be around too," Cait told him.  "I'll talk to Dad about when you can come here."

"I thought you were in charge of me," Connor frowned.

"Dad's still your father, Connor," Cait told him.  "And he loves you and wants to spend time with you too.  So does Joan.  I've had you for quite awhile now and I love having you with me.  But we have to be fair."

"And I'm sick of you," Grayson snarked, wrapping him in a headlock.  "Just kidding," he laughed.

Connor sighed and got his stuff and they grabbed a cab to Park Avenue.  And Cait was relieved to see that her father looked better.  He'd lost weight and he still looked a little tired.  But he was definitely not as pale as he had been.

He hugged all three of them and so did Joan.  And Joan offered to help Connor unpack his bags and get settled. 

"How has he been?" Jack asked Cait.  "It's tough to tell over the phone."

"He's been great," Cait said firmly.  "His homework is done.  And he's been a good boy. He's listened to both of us and he's been very happy to be with us."

Jack seemed to scowl a bit at that.  "Look," he sighed, "it's easy to be the fun, cool figures in his life.  I'm glad he has you two for that.  But he needs parental figures."

"It's not like we let him get away with anything, Dad," Cait frowned.  "He has rules and has to follow directions with us, just like he does here.  I've taken care of him for a month now and I certainly haven't just spoiled him the whole time."

"I'm sure you've done a fine job with him," Jack conceded.  "But it was temporary.  It's time things got back to normal."

Grayson saw Cait get upset at that and decided to try to head off an argument.  "Jack," he offered quietly, "we both know that Connor is your son.  Neither of us want to interfere with that.  But he's very attached to Cait, especially right now.  For his sake, maybe we should consider trying to find a new normal that works for everyone."

Grayson saw the scowl deepen a bit.  "For how long?" Jack asked quickly.  "You two are here for a few weeks, but that's it, isn't it?  Then what?  You've got your own lives, a wedding coming up fast and then you'll be back in Utah before you know it."